Limit

(A concept in Calculus)

By Dalos “Dale” D. Miguel

School of Accountancy, Management, Computing and

Information Studies

Saint Louis University

Baguio City

1
 Differentiation

Module 3- Preliminary

CS 132 - Mathematics for Computer Science

2
 Objective

• Explain the concept of LIMIT

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 Limit
(A concept in Calculus)

• A limit is associated to a function, f(x). The function f(x)

has a limit as x approaches a certain value.

Notation: Limitxa f(x)

• The limit of f(x) as x approaches the specified value, a, is

the value that is approached by f(x). The value of f(x) as x
approaches a MAY BE f(a).

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 Limit
(A concept in Calculus)

• Consider f(x) = (x-2)/(x-2).

• Notice that if x is equal to 2, f(x) is undefined.

• (x-2) =( 2-2) = 0

• Hence, (x-2)/(x-2) = 0/0

• 0/0 is undefined!

• A value for f(x) is defined for x=1.999999… and below as

well as for x=2.000001… and above. F(x) is NOT defined
for x=2.

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 Limit
(A concept in Calculus)

• Consider f(x) = (x-2)/(x-2).

• A value for f(x) is defined for x=1.999999… and below as well as for x=2.000001…
and above.
if x=1.9 , f(x)=f(1.9)= (1.9 - 2)/(1.9 -2) = -0.1/-0.1=1
…
If x=1.99, f(x)=f(1.99)=(1.99-2)/(1.99-2) = -0.01/-0.01=1
…
If x=2, f(x) = f(2) = (2-2)/(2-2) = 0/0 = undefined
…
If x=2.01, f(x)=f(2.01) =(2.01-2)/(2.01-2) = 0.01/0.01=1
…
If x=2.1, f(x)=f(2.1) = (2.1-2)/(2.1-2) = 0.1/0.1 = 1

• We cannot say f(x)=1 when x=2. We can only say the limit of f(x) as x approaches 2
from the left is 1.
Notation:
Limx2 f(x)

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 Limit and Continuity
• The curve corresponding to an f(x) can be discontinuous
for a certain value of x

• f(x) = (x-1)/(x-1) is discontinuous at x=1.

• For any point in the curve for f(x), x is abscissa and f(x)
is ordinate. [i.e. y=f(x)= (x-1)/(x-1)]

• f(x) is undefined when x = 1 [ The point (1, 0/0) does not

exist)

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 Limit and Continuity

• The curve corresponding to an f(x) can be discontinuous a

for a certain value of x

• f(x) = (x-1)/(x-1) is discontinuous at x=1.

Graph

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 Limit and Continuity

• Consider f(x) as follows

x2 if x  2
f(x) =
2 if x=2

• The f(x) is discontinuous

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 Limit and Continuity

• Consider y=f(x) as follows

x2 if x  2
y=f(x) =
2 if x=2

• The y=f(x) is discontinuous

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 Calculus is about
functions.
• In Calculus(i.e. Differential Calculus), inference is made
out of a given y=f(x)

• y=f(x) can be continuous, that is, f(x) is defined for every

possible value of x.

• y=f(x) can have a point of discontinuity, that is, a value for

f(x) can only be approached. Theoretically, the
approached value cannot be a value of f(x).

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 Evaluating limits

• Understanding limits entails understanding a lot of

concepts.

• For our introductory course, we look at the simple cases

where limits are computed.

• For simple cases, the limit of f(x) as x approaches a value,

say v, is derived by simply substituting v in f(x).

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 Evaluating limits

• For simple cases, the limit of f(x) as x approaches a value,

say v, is derived by simply substituting v in f(x).

Determine the limit of f(x)=x2+1 as x approaches 2.

Limx2 (x2+1) = (2)2 + 1 = 4 + 1 =5

Note, again, that 5 is an approached value

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 Evaluating limits
Limt1 ((t+1)2/2(t2+3)) = ?

Limt1 ((t+1)2/2(t2+3)) = ((1+1)2/2(12+3))

= (2)2/2(1+3)

=(4)/2(4)

=4/8

= 1/2

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 We will just have a “taste”
of Calculus!
• Calculus is a very lengthy course. In fact, Pre-Calculus used
to be studied by undergraduate students through two courses:

• Differential Calculus that was done in about one-hour per

day for 5 days in a week meeting for one school term (one
semester)

• Integral Calculus that was done in about one-hour per day

for 5 days in a week meeting for one school term(one
semester!)

• DO NOT BE PRESSURED THOUGH. The topics that we will

cover are the essential introductory concepts. (If you think it is
simple, it will be simple else it will not be.)

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 Why this Presentation?

• The concept of limit is used in the definition of the first

derivative.

• You can now look at the presentation on the FIRST

DERIVATIVE.

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